https://www.gosh.nhs.uk/wards-and-departments/departments/clinical-specialties/north-thames-paediatric-epilepsy-network-information-health-professionals/services-ntpen/

Services in NTPEN

Standards for Paediatric Epilepsy Services – secondary care level 

  • Lead consultant paediatrician with interest in epilepsy (recognised training and experience in paediatric epilepsy at secondary care level: Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health- Special Interest Modules, Frame work for Epilepsy, Epilepsy 12 recommendations, Paediatric Epilepsy Training courses (organised by British Paediatric Neurology Association etc.], attendance at local paediatric epilepsy network meetings (providing opportunity for peer review and clinical updates) based in community and based in hospital services.
    • Community and hospital services should work closely together.
  • Children with suspected or confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy must have easy access to an appropriate clinic and seen in timely fashion (NICE guidelines).
  • A Clinical Nurse Specialist with appropriate training and experience should support service, preferably full time.
  • Local care pathways and guidelines for children presenting with first suspected seizure, epilepsy and status epilepticus, individual care plans involving all appropriate professional.
  • Access to neurophysiology for EEGs in timely fashion and reports meeting standards of paediatric EEG reporting.
  • Timely access to tertiary neurology services (meeting referral criteria according to NICE guidelines, Update January 2013).

  • Access to appropriate neuroimaging (epilepsy sequence MRI, occasionally CT)– reports by radiologist experienced in reporting of paediatric neuroimages).

Children with complex or refactory seizures require referral to a tertiary paediatriuc neurology or complex epilepsy service.

Tertiary paediatric neurology services in NTPEN area:

  • Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust
    • Complex epilepsy
    • Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Service (CESS)
    • Vagus Nerve Stimulation Service (Lead: Dr Sophia Varadkar)
    • Ketogenic Diet Service (Lead: Dr Christin Eltze)
  • St Mary’s Hospital – Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
    • Complex Epilepsy Service (Dr Leena Mewasingh, Dr Sushil Beeri)